Autism Awareness

Always Unique, Totally Intelligent, Sometimes Mysterious

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that is characterized by significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Individuals with ASD have difficulty in joint attention (shared focus/attention) and social reciprocity (back-and-forth flow of conversation/social interaction), as well as challenges in the use of verbal and nonverbal (sarcasm, body language, etc.) communicative behaviors for social interaction. The signs and symptoms of autism vary widely from one individual to another due to their different responses (hypo- or hyper-sensitivity) to sensory input. Some individuals are at the high-functioning end resulting in mild challenges while others may develop on the sever end of the spectrum resulting in repetitive behaviors, interest, or activities.

In the United States: 

• In 2010, overall estimated ASD prevalence was 14.7 per 1,000 (1 in 68) children age 8 years (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018).
• The CDC study found that prevalence was 18.4 per 1,000 (1 in 54) among males and 4.0 per 1,000 (1 in 252) in females.
• Prevalence among non-Hispanic white children (12.0 per 1,000) was significantly greater than among non-Hispanic black children (10.2 per 1,000) and Hispanic children (7.9 per 1,000).
• ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. However, there is under-identification among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children and insufficient data reported for children of Asian/Pacific Island descent.

In California: 

• According to the latest special education data from the California Department of Education, approximately 97,000 California public school children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.   
• More than one of every 65 kindergartners are classified as autistic. 
• Since 2006, the number of autistic students statewide has risen by between 5,000 and 7,000 every year. 

Signs & Symptoms (Children or Adults with ASD):

• Might not want change in their their daily routine/activities.
• Not look at objects when another person points at them. 
• Avoid eye contact and prefer to be alone
• appear to be unaware when people talk to them, but respond to other sounds
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
• lose skills they once had (for example, stop saying words they were using)

How does Autism Spectrum Disorder affect me?

Autism Spectrum Disorder has affected my life quite personally. My niece was diagnosed with ASD at a young age and since then has influenced my life greatly. She has impacted my educational career, in which I have decided to pursue a degree in Communication Disorders. In addition, I aspire to one day become a Speech-Language Pathologist to assist children like my niece with their verbal and non-verbal communication. Along with influencing my educational journey, being able to witness my niece's development and her experiences in social situations has geared me to advocate for others in similar situations. I decided to focus my blog on Autism Spectrum Disorder because it has affected my family personally and I believe our communities should be more aware of the array of developmental disorders that exist along us. Through being more aware of the matter and the characteristics associated with ASD (why these children act the way they do), communities will learn to be more accepting of the children on the spectrum and of other disorders as well.    

How has Autism Spectrum Disorder affect you?

CARLA TELLO 

"The main thing I would want people to understand about autism is that autism is a disorder and not a disease and there is no cure for it. Being a caregiver for a nonverbal child on the spectrum has affected me in many ways. There’s a misconception that all autistic children/adults are the same however, the condition affects everyone differently and every individual requires different types of attention. Therefore, I’ve learned to understand the wants and needs of one autistic individual who’s my niece Victoria. There are always good and bad days, they can come when you least expect them. Having Victoria around has taught me to be more accepting and patient with others. I’ve learned you shouldn’t try to change someone but instead understand them which makes life much easier."

YENDI TELLO

"Autism has affected me and my family. It’s difficult to go out with a child who gets overwhelmed with large crowds, loud noises and who struggles to communicate her needs. Changes in her daily routine cause disruptive and aggressive behaviors towards herself and sometimes with others. Even though she can’t communicate with us, we still must communicate with her every change that will happen in her routine to avoid any tantrums and aggressive behaviors. In addition, even though she is 5 years old, we must always keep an eye on her. Autistic children get easily distracted and are not always aware of their surroundings. As a parent of an autistic child, I must be at 110% ready for anything! It’s no longer about what I need or want. It’s all about my daughter."

JONATHAN GALAVIZ

"Autism is not a disease. People on the spectrum are just a little different from people not on the spectrum, their needs are different. Even thought they are different, people not on the spectrum must learn and accept that they are still human beings with emotions. They do not express themselves the same, we just need to make the extra effort to be able to understand them."

References

"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 
            
           Apr. 2018, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.

"Autism Spectrum Disorder: Incidence and Prevalence.” Averican Speech-Language-Hearing  

           Association, ASHA, www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589935303§ion=Incidence_and_Prevalence.

"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for 

         Disease Control and Prevention, 3 May 2018, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html.

Reese, Phillip. “Autism Rates in California Public Schools Jumped 7 Percent in 
        
         2016.” Sacbee, The Sacramento Bee, 18 July 2016, www.sacbee.com/site-services/databases/article90300877.html.

https://youtu.be/Lr4_dOorquQ